06-09-09 WSJune 9, 2009
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MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council
members Halverson, Brausen, Rowan, Youakim and City Manager Rick Getschow; Public Works
Director Steve Stadler, City Engineer John Bradford, Director of Planning and Economic Development
Kersten Elverum, Community Development Coordinator Tara Beard, Finance Director Christine
Harkess, Masters Capstone students Greta Alquist, Cole Hiniker, and Andrew Guthrie.
CAPSTONE REPORT OF LRT STATION:
Two County -led initiatives are currently underway for the Southwest Light Rail Transit line planned through
Hopkins: A Station Area master Plan and a Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Both of these plans build
on previous work, but are still broad in scope and do not address many specific areas for which the City needs to
plan.
Because of the extensive work already underway in the Blake Road Corridor and the possibilities at Shady Oak
station area, staff decided to work with the capstone students on the Downtown Station (at 8 Ave and Excelsior
Blvd); specifically on how that station will relate to Downtown Hopkins for transit users, pedestrians, bicyclists,
and vehicles. There were three main issues in the scope: 1) Redevelopment along 8 Ave that will draw transit
riders to Mainstreet and reduce barriers to crossing Excelsior Blvd, including designing guidelines and
streetscape recommendations; 2) Circulator options to connect people from the Downtown Transit Station to
various destinations, including Mainstreet, other LRT stations, and major employment centers; and 3) Design of
8 Ave itself, including an examination of what modes of mobility would be permitted and how they would
interact.
The Capstone group presented a slideshow with their plans for the circulator and the downtown transit station.
Council member Rowan stated that he liked the option of shared space. He inquired if the circulator route went
west. Cole stated that in fact did go west and comes back going east. Council member Rowan stated that the
rails could limit you in the future and could cost more money if redevelopment were to happen.
Council member Halverson inquired if the street cars would be on tracks or tires. Cole stated that it could be
either way but they were looking at the streetcar being on tracks because it would be more attractive to the
public. Council member Halverson also stated that she had concerns about shared space on 8 Ave as it is the
main gateway to downtown. Council member Halverson also inquired about the ownership of the streetcar and
the circulator. Cole stated that Met Council would be a great partner and it would be the most cost effective
way for Hopkins. Ms. Elverum stated that Cargill and the Park Nicollet area are interested in being a part of the
process.
Council member Brausen stated that he likes the Route 1 plan if it were three blocks further to the west. He also
stated that on 8 there is the long white wall and it would be nice to have some art there, possibly a mural of
some kind. Council member Brausen stated he is not sure about shared space on 8 He stated that he would
like to see how some businesses feel about it. He also stated that he likes the idea of bike lanes on the street and
he likes the idea of mixed use.
June 9, 2009
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Council member Youakim stated that she likes the routes. She suggested that the city look at making the first
two blocks on 8th from Excelsior Blvd a one -way. She also stated that she liked the idea of sidewalk art.
Mayor Maxwell stated that he liked the idea of shared space but had concerns that the streets would not be wide
enough. Mayor stated that he would like to see the challenges of getting across four lanes of traffic worked out
better. He also stated that we need to look at what it will be like in the winter time. Will it involve more work
from the Public Works Department to maintain a plaza? He stated that we need to look at al costs for all
seasons.
Steve Stadler stated that 8 Ave does need some changes. He stated that there are 4800 vehicles a day on that
road.
CIP FIRST REVIEW:
Steve Stadler and John Bradford presented graphs that showed the percent of streets in good and poor condition.
Mr. Bradford stated the plan that they are looking at for the next five years are as follows:
2010 Oak Glen and Park Lane.
2011 Part of 14 15 Ave North, 4 Street North, part of 3 Street North, part of
2012 14th, 15 16 17 18 and 1 9 th Ave South as well as 1 Street North and 2nd Street North
2013 Minnetonka Mills from hwy 7 to 7 Ave North, part of 4 Street North, part of 8th 9th, 11 Ave North
and part of 3 Street North.
2014 Nine Mile Creek area; 7 Street South, 6 Street South, 9 Ave South, 5 Ave South, Park Valley Drive
West and East, and 10 Ave South.
2015 Monroe Ave South, Jackson Ave South, Van Buren Ave South, Harrison Ave South, 1 Street South
and 2 Street South.
Mr. Bradford stated that half of the streets in Hopkins are 60 years old. He stated that the work that they are
proposing to do on the streets is hybrid reconstruction that would be assessed like a regular reconstruction. He
stated they would do the work on utilities if needed and they would still do the sanitary hookups if needed.
Mayor Maxwell stated that letters should be sent to residents in advance letting them know that their street is
going to be worked on. Mr. Bradford stated that he thought it would be better to have it on the website and in
the city newsletter. Mayor Maxwell stated the more information we can give the residents early on the better.
Council member Halverson stated that we should let residents know about work being done on the streets two
years in advance giving them enough time to save for the work to be done.
Mr. Bradford stated that he is still waiting to hear about any stimulus money and he should know by the end of
the month.
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City Manager Getschow and Finance Director Harkess continued with an overview of the draft 5 -year capital
plan, that in addition to street reconstruction, included the:
Other:
Technology /Cable T.V. Fund
Park Dedication Fund
Utility Funds
General Capital Improvement Fund (building and facility improvements)
Pavilion Fund
Council member Youakim stated that the lights at Maetzold Field seemed to be on early in the evening
recently. Does the City control that or do the coaches? Mr. Stadler will check into that.
City Manager Getschow discussed an article that came out regarding the consolidating of Hop -a -Ride in
east metro. Mr. Getschow stated that there will be more about how this concerns Hopkins at an
upcoming work session
City Manager Getschow stated that Christine will be wrapping up a report on how Hennepin County
funding cuts affects the City of Hopkins.
City Manager Getschow asked the Council if we should have a City booth at the Raspberry Festival.
The Council all stated that they thought that would something that they would like to participate in.
With no further business, a motion was made by Youakim, seconded by Brausen to adjourn the meeting. The
motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10:04 pm.
Debbie Sperling, Secretary
ATTES��
Eugene J. axwe Mayor
Eugene J. axwe Mayor